Tape dispenser



Nov. 9, 1965 .1. L. LAUSA 3,216,634

TAPE DISPENSER Original Filed Feb. 9. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JAMES L.LAU5A ATTORNEY Nov. 9, 1965 .1. L. LAUSA 3,215,634

TAPE DISPENSER Original Filed Feb. 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JAMES L. LAUSA ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,216,634 TAPE DISPENSER James L. Larisa, Park Forest, 111., assignor to Johns-Wanville Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Continuation of application Ser. No. 88,153, Feb. 9, 1961.

This application Nov. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 325,806 4 Claims. (Cl. 225l9) This application is a continuation of my copending United States patent application Serial Number 88,153, entitle-d Tape Dispenser, filed February 9, 1961, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a tape dispenser and more particularly to a new dispenser especially suitable for dispensing and cutting to desired lengths any of the commercially available pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, such as eletcrical insulating tape, decorative tape, etc., all of which are normally available in roll form.

Ever since the advent of the pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, and particularly the electrical insulating and surgical tapes, the need for a simplified means whereby both cutting and dispensing of the tapes as they are unwound from the conventional supply rolls could be accomplished in an uninvolved and easy manner, has been acknowledged. The earliest attempts were largely based upon the use of simple mechanical severing means, such as scissors and the like, which could be combined with a tape pacle age and be used in conjunction therewith to cut a metered length of tape. Examples of these early efforts are evidenced by US. Letters Patent Nos. 2,080,052, 2,260,962 and 2,447,519. Later in an attempt to simplify the mechanisms, a great variety of shapes, sizes and complex constructions were produced. Illustrative are those dis closed in U.S. Letters Patent Nos. 2,678,777, 2,776,095, 2,777,594, 2,788,181 and 2,927,710. However, most of these have had one or more serious disadvantages, particularly notable among which is the high cost due to an excessive number of movable parts and complex structures. Consequently, there still remains a definite need in the art for an adequate inexpensive means by which the consumer can easily handle these tapes.

More specifically, the principal disadvantages of the prior art dispensers have been the lack of simple construction. The complex mechanisms used have necessitated a great deal of expense on behalf of the manufacturer in providing a suitable and attractive dispenser. As a consequence of this, the consumer is forced to pay for an expensive dispenser or pay an increased cost for the roll of tape if the dispenser is supplied therewith.

Consequently, to date no dispenser has been provided which could consist of a simple two-piece construction, which, while remaining simple, would adequately function not only as a carrier for the tape, but also to dispense and cut the tape. Still further, no such dispenser has been provided which would further protect the tape from outside contamination. The conventional sleigh type of dispenser is an example of a construction, which, while not complex, permits the tape to remain exposed to the atmosphere, dirt and the like. Still further, the cutting edge remains exposed and creates a possible safety hazard.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide an inexpensive and easily fabricated tape dispenser.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a tape dispenser having a minimum number of parts. M

It is another object of this invention to provide an ifiexpensive tape dispenser having improved means therein for cutting desired lengths of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes withdrawn from within.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tape dispenser for rolls of tape, the dispenser ice being quickly detachable and disconnected from the rolls of tape.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a tape dispenser which will maintain the tape therein in a clean condition, free from dirt and other foreign articles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tape dispenser which, while being economically fabricated, does not sacrifice any of the cutting, dispensing and safety features desirable in such a mechanism.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the complete assembly in its operating condition.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of one of the pair of cylindrical members forming the dispenser.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational View of the second cylindrical member.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the first cylindrical member taken along line VV of FIG. 3, looking downward.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional elevational View of the other or second cylindrical member taken along line ViVi of FIG. 4, looking upward.

Briefly stated, the invention comprises a pair of generally cylindrical members so designed as to be capable of detachably interlocking or detachably interfitting. The interlocking characteristic is accomplished by various corresponding segments or portions of the respective members. Further, the periphery or rim of the dispenser is provided with a slot extending transversely thereof, which may be composed of aligned slots of each member. A cutting means is provided adjacent said slot. Both cylindrical members are provided with radially extending flange portions to extend beyond the cutting means and thereby protect the user from the cutting means. The members are also possessed of corresponding and detachably interlocking or detachably interfitting axial hub portions which permit a roll of tape to be mounted thereon.

Referring to the embodiment of my invention as illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 6, there is shown a tape dispenser or dispenser container 29, for tape in roll form, comprising a pair of generally cylindrical members 22 and 24 of substantially the same size, or having generally corresponding diametrical dimensions, each respectively having substantially annular end Walls 26 and 28, and peripheral walls comprising arcuate portions 30 and 32, attached to the corresponding end wall. Member 24 is further characterized by possessing a generally cylindrical supplemental peripheral arcuate wall portion 50 joined to the peripheral wall portion 32. as by being formed integrally therewith and supported thereby, said wall portion 59 being of a diameter greater than that of the wall portion 32 and of a circumferential extent less than said Wall portion 32. The peripheral Wall portion 50 is constructed so as to provide an overlap of peripheral wall portion 30 when the peripheral wall of member 24 is interlocked or interfitted with the peripheral wall of member 22. It will be observed that arcuate wall portion 32 and arcuate wall portion 30 have a substantially common diameter. Both end walls 26 and 23 are equipped with more or less, or generally radially projecting flange portions 34 and 36, respectively. In addition, each cylindrical member preferably is equipped with an axial hub portion such as 38 and 40, respectively, and these hub portions are desirably so designed as to possess overlapping lip portions 39 and 41, respectively, as will be further explained hereinafter.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 3 and 5, which illustrate details of cylindrical member 22, it is seen that said member is provided with a slot 42 extending transversely of its periphery, i.e., preferably generally parallel to the axis of member 22, and which is designed to be aligned with slot 44, which extends transversely, of the periphery of cylindrical member 24 and also is preferably generally parallel to the axis of member 24. The peripheral wall of member 22 also contains, circumferentially contiguous to its peripheral wall portion 30, an indented recessed arcuate portion 46 which extends for a part of the circumference of said peripheral wall, an arcuate portion 45 of wall portion 32 and an arcuate portion of wall portion 30 being offset from each other in a circumferential direction and the said arcuate, offset portions having their ends terminating contiguous to each other. The recessed, arcuate portion 46 is designed to immediately underlie and detachably interfit or interlock with the arcuate portion 45, these two arcuate portions being of generally corresponding arcuate length, as are the peripheral wall portions 30 and 50. Member 22 is further preferably possessed of a hub portion such as 38 which desirably has a lip portion 39 at its inner extent, which lip portion is of a lesser outer diameter than said hub portion. The inner diameter of the hub portion 38, as illustrated, is constant.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 6, it is seen that the member 24 contains a peripheral slot or opening 44 therethrough extending the complete axial width of the peripheral wall portion 32 of the peripheral wall of member 24 and being perpendicular to the end wall 28 and parallel to the axis of said member 24. Mounted adjacent the peripheral slot 44 and fixed upon and carried entirely by the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 32 is a tape cutting or severing means 48 preferably supported by rib 47. Preferably this tape cutting or severing means is of a point-like structure having knife edge portions 49 and of such structure as to extend away from the surface of the peripheral wall inclined at an angle in a direction facing the peripheral slot. The angle of inclination may be varied so as to permit ease in severing segments of the tape. The use of a point-like structure (as exemplified by the accompanying drawings) for the cutting means is particularly advantageous when the dispenser is to handle plastic electrical tapes and the like. Because of the physical makeup of the tape, it cannot readily be cut in the normal sense of the word; rather it must be punctured to eifect a severance.

The tape severing means 48 may be aptly described as being located circumferentially proximate to, but circumferentially spaced from, opening 44, and as comprising a blade extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the rim or more particularly the wall portion 32, but inclined in a generally circumferential direction toward the opening 44 and having a similarly directed exposed forward angular severing edge defining a pointed structure terminating, in a circumferential direction, short of the opening 44. This construction functions very effectively as a tape severing means, but since the impingement of the tape against the pointed structure occurs generally inwardly toward the said peripheral surface, forces effective generally radially inwardly are applied to the peripheral wall portion 32 in tape severing operations. Hence the reinforcement of the wall portion 32, and especially its arcuate portion 45, in the region of the tape severing means, as by arcuate portion 46, provides significant advantages, as does the reinforcement of the severing blade 48 by the rib means 47.

Member 24 likewise preferably is possessed of a hub portion such as 40 which desirably is characterized by a lip structure 41, having an inner diameter greater than that of the remaining portion of hub 40. In the particular arrangement illustrated, both the axial extent and variation in lip diameter are so designed as to align and interlock or detachably interfit with the corresponding portion of hub 38. These several hub portions may be regarded as means providing a hub on which the roll of tape is rotatably supported for convenient withdrawal of 4 the free end of the tape through slot 44 for impingemerit against the cutting edge 49 to sever the tape. The remaining extended portion may be left adhered to the peripheral wall. v

As previously stated, the peripheral wall 32 of cylindrical member 24 is designed so as to contain a peripheral wall portion Sil of somewhat larger diameter than the supporting peripheral wall 32. Furnished at spaced intervals along the interior surface of the supplemental wall, are a series of supporting protuberances or bosses 52, which, as shown in FIGURE 4, are circumferentially spaced along and extend radially inwardly from wall portion 50. The bosses 52 define landings 53 adapted to abut with the edge portion 55 of wall 30 and thus con tribute to the axial orientation of the members 24 and 22 when assembled along an axis corresponding to the axis of the hub portions 38 and 40.

The member 24 is also provided, in the illustrative embodiment, with orienting slots 56, preferably positioned adjacent to bosses 52. The member 22 is provided with complementary locating projections 58 spaced about wall 30 at circumferential distances corersponding to the spacing of slots 56. The protuberances 58 fit detachably in slots 56 and facilitate the angular orientation, or orientation circumferentially relative to each other, of members 22 and 24 when said members are assembled. Therefore, in the closed container wall portion 50 of member 24 overlaps peripheral wall portion 30 of member 22 to the extent that the bosses 52 permit. It will also be noted that the configurations and arrangement of wall portions 45 and 46, as well as hub portions 38 and 4%, also facilitate the angular or circumferential and axial orientation of members 22 and 24 relative to each other.

Still further, it is noted that the complementing poritons of the cylindrical members 22 and 24, i.e., projections 58 and slots 56, and bosses 52, in addition to the recessed arcuate portion 46 and the arcuate portion 45 of generally corresponding arcuate length provide for complete and positive orientation and detachable inter locking or interfitting of the cylindrical members. This provides for a structurally sound integrated unit.

The axially extended arcuate portion 45 of peripheral Wall portion 32 is effected by providing a width thereof greater than the width of the remaining arcuate portion of the wall. The circumferential extent of this arcuate portion 45 is substantially equivalent to that not occupied by the arcuate wall portion 56 and also to that occupied by arcuate portion 46 of peripheral wall portion 30.

Still further, peripheral wall 32 has mounted thereon a lip 54 in juxtaposition to the peripheral slot 44 and in parallel relation thereto. The transverse direction of the lip 54 helps deter deflection of the wall at the slot 44. The lip also aids in holding the tape by adherence thereof while not in use and thereby permits ease of access to the tape.

I have specified above that the container preferably consists of two members, each with a peripheral wall which detachably interlocks or interfits with the peripheral wall of the other. In the operating assembly, as shown in FIGURE 1, flange portions 34 and 36 project generally radially outwardly beyond the pointed structure defined by the exposed forward angular severing edge 49 of the severing means 43, so as to bracket the said pointed structure and protect the user from the sharpness of the severing edge 49 and otherwise protect againust undesired contacts with said severing edge. Additionally, these flange portions aid in structurally strengthening, respectively, the peripheral walls 30 and 32 at the points of stress.

In partial summary, and with reference to the foregoing description, and to the several figures of the draw ing, it is noted that the orienting means on the generally cylindrical members 22 and 24, for positively orienting them in the predetermined desired position at least circumferentially relative to each other in assembled relationship, preferably comprise: a first portion (e.g., 32, 45)

of one of the peripheral walls and a first portion (e.g., 30) of the other of the peripheral walls, these first portions having a substantially common diameter; and a second portion (e.g., 50) of one of the peripheral walls having a diameter greater than the said substantially common diameter, and a second portion (e.g., 46) of the other of the peripheral walls having a diameter less than said substantially common diameter, the arrangement being such that the said first and second portions of one peripiheral wall overlap and detachably interfit with, respectively, the said second and first portions of the other peripheral wall. Further, the said first wall portions, having a substantially common diameter, comprise arcuate portions (e.g., 45, 30) which are offset from each other in a circumferential direction, with the ends of these arcuate portions terminating contiguous to each other. Moreover, the said second wall portions also comprise arcuate portions, and the arcuate portions of the said first wall portions correspond, respectively, in arcuate length, to the arcuate portions of the said second wall portions. The arcuate wall portions of different diameters provide generally radially projecting shoulders, as on the outer periphery between 39 and 46, and on the inner periphery between 32 and 50, which are adapted for abutment with a portion or portions of the respective other member to perform orienting functions. These various orienting means comprise a unique and simple construction for accomplishing their orienting functions while at the same time providing a structurally integrated assembled unit. In the preferred form, in which the tape severing means is mounted entirely on a peripheral wall portion having a free edge and comprises the blade structure inclined outwardly and toward the tape dispensing opening, and in which support for the said free edge is thus desired in the region of the tape severing means, such support is provided by the said orienting means as particularly described. The flanges exemplified by 34 and 36, being located in the same region, also contribute to the unity of the assembled structure. The shape of the severing blade, and its orientation with respect to the tape, especially when the blade provides the preferred pointed structure for puncturing the tape and has a generally triangular shape, with a rearward, base portion attached to the outer surface of the said peripheral wall portion, contribute significantly to the functional effectiveness of the preferred total combination of structure, but at the same time indicate the desirability of including the reinforcing or supporting rib means for the severing blade, as detailed above and in the drawing, and of including the supporting means, whether or not they are also constructed to function as orienting means, in the said preferred total combination.

The two elements of the dispenser are desirably formed of a clear plastic material. In this preferred embodiment the use of a clear or translucent plastic provides the distinct advantage of ready visibility of the amount of tape present without the necessity of opening the container to examine the contents. Still further, a simple twopiece dispenser may be readily molded or otherwise formed to thereby provide a relatively inexpensive but, nevertheless, functionally adequate tape dispenser. The selection of a plastic material, however, may have the disadvantage, but not necessarily so, of being fragile. However, the distinct structural features of the instant invention as spelled out herein, impart sufiicient strengthening features which more than overcome such disadvantage.

However, I do not wish to be limited to clear plastic as any suitable material, either transparent or opaque and including metal, may be employed. The choice of material is obviously based upon esthetic and economical conditions.

It is believed the above provides a complete descrip tion of the invention in such manner as to distinguish it from other inventions and from what is old, and provides a description of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention and thereby complies with the patent statutes.

It is also to be understood that in accordance with further provisions of the patent statutes, variations and modifications of the invention, as illustrated by specific examples herein, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof, except as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A dispenser for tape in roll form comprising:

(a) first and second generally cylindrical members having generally corresponding diametrical dimensions;

(b) each of said members having an annular end wall and an outer peripheral wall attached to the end wall;

(c) said peripheral walls together comprising a rim for said dispenser;

((1) said members having means providing a hub on which a roll of tape may be rotatably supported;

(e) said end walls being axially spaced from each other, and said rim and said hub being radially spaced from each other, to provide space for receiving the roll of tape;

(f) said rim having an opening therethrough, through which the free end of the tape may be passed in a generally radially outward direction for dispensing purposes;

(g) tape severing means fixed upon and carried by the said rim at a location proximate, circumferentially, to the said opening, and providing a tape severing edge extending outwardly of said rim, against which said tape may be impinged and severed;

(h) each of said end walls having a flange portion projecting generally radially outwardly farther than said severing edge, said flange portions bracketing said severing edge when said generally cylindrical members are oriented in predetermined desired position circumferentially relative to each other in assembled relationship, said flange portions thereby protecting against undesired contacts with said severing edge;

(i) orienting means on said generally cylindrical members for positively orienting them in the said predetermined desired position eircumferentially relative to each other;

(j) said orienting means comprising a first portion of one of said peripheral walls and a first portion of the other of said peripheral walls having a substantially common diameter, and a second portion of one of said peripheral walls having a diameter greater than said substantially common diameter and a second portion of the other of said peripheral Walls having a diameter less than said substantially common diameter, the said first and second portions of one peripheral wall overlapping and inter-fitting with, respectively, the said second and first portions of the other peripheral wall to fix the relative circumferential positions of said members in said predetermined desired position.

2. A dispenser container for tape in roll comprising:

(a) a pair of generally cylindrical members having portions detachbly interfitting in assembled relationship to define a generally cylindrical container for housing and dispensing a roll of tape;

(b) each of said members having an end wall comprising a disc-like annular wall portion and a hub portion surrounded thereby, said disc-like annular wall portions being spaced apart axially to accommodate the axial width of the roll of tape, and said hub portions detachbly interfitting to form a hub supporting a roll of tape rotatably thereon;

(c) at least one of said members having a peripheral wall attached to its disc-like annular wall portion and spaced radially outwardly from said hub, so as to provide an annular space between said peripheral wall, said hub, and the said disc-like annular wall 7 portions for receiving a roll of tape supported on said hub;

((1) said peripheral wall having an edge portion axially opposite the said annular wall to which the said peripheral wall is attached and adjacent the other of said generally cylindrical members;

(c) said peripheral wall having an opening therethrough, through which the free end of the tape may be passed in a generally radially outward direction for dispensing purposes, said other generally cylindrical member permitting said passage of the tape;

(f) tape severing means fixed upon and carried entirely by the said outer peripheral surface of said peripheral wall, at a location circumferentially proximate to, but circumferentially spaced from, said opening, said tape severing means comprising a blade extending outwardly from said surface but inclined in a generally circumferential direction toward said opening and having a similarly directed exposed forward angular severing edge defining a pointed structure terminatnig, in a circumferential direction, short of the said opening, and against which the tape is impinged generally inwardly to- Ward said surface to severe the tape, whereupon forces effective generally radially inwardly are applied to said peripheral wall at the location of said severing means thereon;

(g) each of said end walls having a generally radially projecting flange portion adjacent to the said tape severing means and bracketing the said pointed structure and extending generally radially therebeyond and serving to protect against undesired contacts with the said pointed structure;

(h) said edge portion of said peripheral wall having a first portion thereof detachably interfitting with a second portion on said other generally cylindrical member, at least in the region, circumferentially considered, in which the said tape severing means is carried by the said outer peripheral surface of said peripheral wall; and

(i) said first and second portions providing for positive, fixed orientation of said generally cylindrical members circumferentially relative to each other, in assembled relationship, in a position in which said flange portions and severing means are related as defined, and also providing for the reinforcement of said peripheral wall, and especially the said edge portion thereof, in the region of said tape severing means, against undue distortion of the peripheral wall, as forces effective generally radially inwardly are applied thereat to the peripheral wall in impinging the tape on said pointed structure in a tape severing operation.

3. A dispenser for tape in roll form comprising:

(a) a pair of generally cylindrical members comprising portions detachably interfitting in assembled relationship, said members defining in said assembled relationship a generally cylindrical container for dispensing a roll of tape;

(h) each of said members comprising an end wall and a peripheral wall attached thereto at one axial end of the peripheral wall;

(c) each of the said peripheral walls having a free edge at the axial end thereof opposite its attached axial end and said peripheral walls together comprising a rim for said dispenser;

(d) said rim having an opening therethrough, through which the free end of the tape may be passed in a generally radially outward direction for dispensing purposes;

(e) tape severing means fixed upon and carried entirely by the outer peripheral surface of a first one of said peripheral walls, at a location circumferentially proximate to, but circumferentially spaced t am, aid op (f) said tape severing means comprising a blade extending outwardly from said surface but inclined in a generally circumferential direction toward said opening and having a similarly directed exposed for ward severing edge, terminating, in the circumferential direction, short of the said opening, and against which the tape is impinged generally inwardly toward said surface to sever the tape, whereupon force eifective generally radially inwardly are applied to said first one of said peripheral walls at the location of said severing means thereon;

(g) at least a portion of the free edge of said first one of said peripheral walls overlapping and lying immediately radially outwardly of a portion of the other peripheral wall at a location, circumferentially considered, at which the said tape severing means is carried by said first one of said peripheral walls, to provide position fixed orientation of said generally cylindrical members circumferentially relative to each other in assembled relationship and to provide support for said portion of the free edge of said first one of said peripheral walls when the same is subjected to the forces effective generally radially inwardly in the severing of the tape by impinging it against said severing edge;

(h) each of said end walls having a flange portion adjacent the said tape severing means and projecting generally radially outwardly beyond the said exposed severing edge, said flanges lying generally axially opposite each other and bracketing said severing edge to protect against undesired contacts with the severing edge; and

(i) said generally cylindrical members having means providing a hub on which the said roll of tape is rotatably supported for dispensing tape through said opening.

4. A dispenser for tape in roll form comprising:

(a) first and second generally cylindrical members having generally corresponding diametrical dimensions;

(b) each of said members having an annular end wall and an outer peripheral wall attached to the end wall;

(c) said peripheral walls together comprising a rim for said dispenser;

((1) said members having means providing a hub on which a roll of tape may be rotatably supported; (c) said end walls being axially spaced from each other, and said rim and said hub being radially spaced from each other, to provide space for receiving the roll of tape;

(f) said rim having an opening therethrough, through which the free end of the tape may be passed in a generally radially outward direction for dispensing purposes;

(g) tape severing means fixed upon and carried by the said rim at a location proximate, circumferentially, to the said opening, and providing a tape severing edge extending outwardly of said rim, against which said tape may be impinged and severed;

(h) each of said end Walls having a flange portion projecting generally radially outwardly farther than said severing edge, said flange portions bracketing said severing edge When said generally cylindrical members are oriented in predetermined desired position circumferentially relative to each other in assembled relationship, said flange portions thereby protecting against undesired contacts with said severing edge;

(i) orienting means on said generally cylindrical members for positively orienting them in the said predetermined desired position circumferentially relative to each other;

(j) said orienting means comprising a first portion of one of said peripheral walls and a first portion of the other of said peripheral Walls having a substantially common diameter, with the circumferential ends of the said portions terminating contiguous to each other and a second portion of one of said peripheral walls having a diameter greater than said substantially common diameter and a second portion of the other of said peripheral walls having a diameter less than said substantially common diameter, the said first and second portions of one peripheral wall overlapping and interfitting with, respectively, the said second and first portions of the other peripheral wall to fix the relative circumferential positions of said members in said predetermined desired position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,586,346 2/52 King 22547 5 2,622,815 12/52 Waterman 225-41 X 2,709,049 5/55 Weis 225--47 X 3,123,265 3/64 Houser 225-19 10 ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM W. DYER, IR., Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate Patent No. 3,216,634 Patented November 9, 1965 James L. Lausa Application having been made jointly by James L. Lausa, the inventor named in the patent above identified; J ohns-Manville Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York, the assignee; and Dan B. Houser of Deerfield, Illinois, for the issuance of a certificate under the provisions of Title 35, Section 256 of the United States Code, adding the name of the said Dan B. Houser as a joint inventor, and a showin and proof of facts satisfying the requirements of the said section having been submitt it is this 5th day of July 1966, certified that the name of the said Dan B. Houser is hereby added to the said patent as a joint inventor with the said James L. Lausa.

[SEAL] EDWIN L. REYNOLDS, F irst Assistant Commissioner 0 1 Patents. 

1. A DISPENSER FOR TAPE IN ROLL FORM COMPRISING: (A) FIRST AND SECOND GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS HAVING GENERALLY CORRESPONDING DIAMETRICAL DIMENSIONS; (B) EACH OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING AN ANNULAR END WALL AND AN OUTER PERIPHERAL WALL ATTACHED TO THE END WALL; (C) SAID PERIPHERAL WALLS TOGETHER COMPRISING A RIM FOR SAID DISPENSER; (D) SAID MEMBERS HAVING MEANS PROVIDING A HUB ON WHICH A ROLL OF TAPE MAY BE ROTATABLY SUPPORTED; (E) SAID END WALLS BEING AXIALLY SPACED FROM EACH OTHER, AND SAID RIM AND SAID HUB BEING RADIALLY SPACED FROM EACH OTHER, TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR RECEIVING THE ROLL OF TAPE; (F) SAID RIM HAVING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH, THROUGH WHICH THE FREE END OF THE TAPE MAY BE PASSED IN A GENERALLY RADIALLY OUTWARD DIRECTION FOR DISPENSING PURPOSES; (G) TAPE SEVERING MEANS FIXED UPON AND CARRIED BY THE SAID RIM AT A LOCATION PROXIMATE, CIRCUMFERENTIALLY, TO THE SAID OPENING, AND PROVIDING A TAPE SEVERING EDGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID RIM, AGAINST WHICH SAID TAPE MAY BE IMPINGED AND SEVERED; (H) EACH OF SAID END WALLS HAVING A FLANGE PORTION PROJECTING GENERALLY RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FARTHER THAN SAID SEVERING EDGE, SAID FLANGE PORTIONS BRACKETING SAID SEVERING EDGE WHEN SAID GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS ARE ORIENTED IN PREDETERMINED DESIRED POSITION CIRCUMFERENTIALLY RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER IN ASSEMBLED RELATIONSHIP, SAID FLANGE PORTIONS THEREBY PROTECTING AGAINST UNDESIRED CONTACTS WITH SAID SEVERING EDGE; (I) ORIENTING MEANS ON SAID GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL MEMBERS FOR POSITIVELY ORIENTING THEM IN THE SAID PREDETERMINED DESIRED POSITION CIRCUMFERENTIALLY RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER; (J) SAID ORIENTING MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST PORTION OF ONE OF SAID PERIPHERAL WALLS AND A FIRST PORTION OF THE OTHER OF SAID PERIPHERAL WALLS HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY COMMON DIAMETER, AND A SECOND PORTION OF ONE OF SAID PERIPHERAL WALLS HAVING A DIAMETER GREATER THAN SAID SUBSTANTIALLY COMMON DIAMETER AND A SECOND PORTION OF THE OTHER OF SAID PERIPHERAL WALLS HAVING A DIAMETER LESS THAN SAID SUBSTANTIALLY COMMON DIAMETER, THE SAID FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS OF ONE PERIPHERAL WALL OVERLAPPING AND INTERFITTING WITH, RESPECTIVELY, THE SAID SECOND AND FIRST PORTIONS OF THE OTHER PERIPHERAL WALL TO FIX THE RELATIVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL POSITIONS OF SAID MEMBERS IN SAID PREDETERMINED DESIRED POSITION. 